New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Duessphtpk’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Impatiens  plant named ‘Duessphtpk’ characterized by its moderately compact, upright, outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely and early flowering habit; bright magenta-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Impatiens hawkeri.

Cultivar denomination: ‘DUESSPHTPK’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens hawkeri and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Duessphtpk’.

The new Impatiens plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Encinitas, Calif. The objective of the breeding program is to create new early and freely flowering New Guinea Impatiens plants with attractive flowers and good garden performance.

The new Impatiens plant is a naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of a proprietary selection of Impatiens hawkeri identified as code number NN-0032-X0015, not patented. The new Impatiens plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within a population of plants of the mutation parent in a controlled greenhouse environment in Encinitas, Calif. on Dec. 6, 2016.

Asexual reproduction of the new Impatiens plant by terminal vegetative cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Encinitas, Calif. since Dec. 13, 2016 has shown that the unique features of this new Impatiens plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Impatiens have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature, daylight and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Duessphtpk’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Duessphtpk’ as a new and distinct Impatiens plant:

-   -   1. Moderately compact, upright, outwardly spreading and mounding         plant habit.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Freely branching habit.     -   4. Dark green-colored leaves.     -   5. Freely and early flowering habit.     -   6. Bright magenta-colored flowers.     -   7. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Impatiens can be compared to plants of the mutation parent selection. Plants of the new Impatiens differ primarily from plants of the mutation parent selection in flower color as plants of the mutation parent selection have purple-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Impatiens can be compared to plants of Impatiens hybrida ‘SAKIMP033’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,669. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Impatiens differ primarily from plants of ‘SAKIMP033’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Impatiens are not as compact as plants of         ‘SAKIMP033’.     -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Impatiens are darker green in         color than leaves of plants of ‘SAKIMP033’.     -   3. Plants of the new Impatiens and ‘SAKIMP033’ differ in flower         color as plants of ‘SAKIMP033’ have dark red purple-colored         flowers.

Plants of the new Impatiens can be compared to plants of Impatiens X hybrida ‘Sakimp006’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,501. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Impatiens differ primarily from plants of ‘Sakimp006’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Impatiens are more compact than plants of         ‘Sakimp006’.     -   2. Plants of the new Impatiens and ‘Sakimp006’ differ in flower         color as plants of ‘Sakimp006’ have lavender-colored flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Impatiens plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Impatiens plant.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Duessphtpk’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the top of the sheet is a close-up view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Duessphtpk’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown during the summer and early autumn in 16.5-cm containers in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse in Encinitas, Calif. and under cultural practices typical of commercial New Guinea Impatiens production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures averaged 26° C., night temperatures averaged 18° C. and light levels ranged from 4,500 to 5,500 lux. Plants were 16 weeks old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Impatiens hawkeri ‘Duessphtpk’. -   Parentage: Naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of a proprietary     selection of Impatiens hawkeri identified as code number     NN-0032-X0015, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By terminal vegetative cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About five to             seven days at temperatures about 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and             winter.—About three weeks at temperatures about 20° C.         -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous; typically white in color,             actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate             composition, water quality, fertilizers, substrate             temperature and age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Moderately compact, upright to             outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; freely             branching habit with about four to five primary lateral             branches each with about four to six secondary lateral             branches developing per plant; vigorous growth habit and             rapid growth rate.         -   Height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 24 cm.         -   Height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 26 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 52 cm. -   Lateral branch description:     -   -   Length.—About 24 cm.         -   Diameter, primary lateral branches.—About 1.5 cm.         -   Diameter, secondary lateral branches.—About 1 cm.         -   Internode length.—About 5.4 cm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—About 35° to 45° from vertical.         -   Texture and luster.—Smooth, glabrous; glossy.         -   Color, when developing and fully developed.—Close to 187A. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite or in whorls of four or five leaves;             simple.         -   Length.—About 8.8 cm.         -   Width.—About 3.7 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire with ciliation.         -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;             slightly glossy to matte.         -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;             somewhat glossy.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate; arcuate.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to N137A.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 148A. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Darker than N137A; venation,             close to 183A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close             to 148A; venation, close to 183A.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 2.4 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.             Strength: Strong. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous; somewhat glossy. Color, upper and lower surfaces:             Close to 183A. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and flowering habit.—Large single rounded             triangular and mostly flat axillary flowers; freely             flowering habit, typically at least 150 flowers develop per             plant; flowers positioned above and beyond the foliar plane;             flowers typically face mostly upright to outwardly.         -   Flower longevity.—Flowers typically last about two to three             days on the plant under greenhouse conditions; petals             self-cleaning, gynoecium persistent.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Natural flowering season.—Year-round under greenhouse             conditions; in the garden, flowering from spring until fall             in California; early flowering habit, plants typically begin             flowering about ten weeks after planting.         -   Flower buds.—Length: About 2.2 cm. Diameter: About 1.7 cm.             Shape: Ovate. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; somewhat             glossy. Color: Close to 72A.         -   Flower diameter.—About 5 cm to 5.5 cm.         -   Flower depth.—About 2.8 cm; with spur, about 5.6 cm.         -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: Five per flower in a             single whorl. Banner petals, length: About 2.4 cm. Banner             petals, width: About 3.5 cm. Lateral petals, length: About             2.4 cm. Lateral petals, width: About 2.2 cm. Lower petals,             length: About 3 cm. Lower petals, width: About 2.6 cm.             Shape: Cordate. Apex: Emarginate. Base: Attenuate. Margin:             Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth, glabrous; velvety; matte. Color: When opening, upper             surface: Close to 71A. When opening, lower surface: Close to             72A. Fully opened, upper surface: Brighter than 72A; towards             the base, close to 60A; venation, close to 72A; color does             not change with development. Fully opened, lower surface:             Close to 71C; venation, close to 71C; color does not change             with development.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three in a single whorl;             two lateral sepals and one center sepal modified into an             elongated spur. Lateral sepals, length: About 1.4 cm.             Lateral sepals, width: About 7 mm. Center sepals, length:             About 1.8 cm. Center sepals, width: About 1.1 cm. Shape:             Elliptical. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Truncate; center sepal             modified into a curved spur. Margin: Entire. Texture and             luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte.             Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close             to 71D. When opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close             to 77D. Spur length: About 5.4 cm. Spur diameter: At the             flower, about 2 mm. Spur texture and luster: Smooth,             glabrous; somewhat glossy. Spur color: Close to 59A.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 4.5 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm.             Angle: About 35° to 45° from branch axis. Strength: Strong.             Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; somewhat glossy.             Color: Close to 183A.         -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity: Five fused at             anthers; filaments free. Filament length: About 2 mm.             Filament color: Close to 71A. Anther size: About 3 mm by             5 mm. Anther shape: Oblong. Anther color: Close to 71A.             Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 158B.             Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length: About             7 mm. Stigma diameter: About 1.5 mm. Stigma shape: Rounded.             Stigma color: Close to N155C. Style length: About 1 mm.             Style color: Close to N155C. Ovary color: Close to 159B.         -   Seeds and fruits.—Seed and fruit production has not been             observed on plants of the new Impatiens to date. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Impatiens have not     been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Impatiens plants to date. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Impatiens have been observed     to have good garden performance and tolerate temperatures ranging     from about 5° C. to about 40° C. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Impatiens plant named ‘Duessphtpk’ as illustrated and described. 